A pioneering new degree - believed to be one of Britain’s first - has just been launched to help inform the future managers of our natural marine resources.
The marine resources sector - which includes fisheries, marine tourism, such as whale and dolphin watching and renewables - is expanding so rapidly that the policies as to how best govern and sustain it are desperately playing catch up.
Now the new MSc in Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology – Concepts and Practices for Ecosystem-Based Management has been developed in partnership by the University of Aberdeen and Fisheries Research Services to fill that knowledge gap and help develop much needed policies and strategies
The one year course draws together expertise from key organisations which include the Fisheries Research Services Marine Laboratory, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee as well as from the University's own internationally renowned Oceanlab and marine biology staff.
The MSc also has attracted great support from the Scottish Fishermen's Trust which is giving £15,000 over the next three years to fund five bursaries every year.
The Trust sees the benefit of helping students who could end up informing those making decisions on fisheries management.
The Fishmongers' Company is also continuing its support of fisheries postgraduate education at the University of Aberdeen with a yearly £3,000 bursary.
